Enjoy your cup of Hot Chocolate

My husband sent me this today and I loved it. ......

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help them selves to the hot chocolate. When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: 'Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups. Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the BEST of everything that they have.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And enjoy your hot chocolate in 2008!

Twosies Tag

I was tagged by my cousin Mikaela. So here goes......

Two names you go by: Mom, and Melis. (I don't really have a nickname-I'm happy about that!)

Two things you're wearing right now: jeans and crocs!

Two things you'd want or have in a relationship: Laughter and communication

Two of your favorite things to do: go out to eat with Hubby, and shop with friends

Two things you want very badly right now: clean smelling home and $1000

Two things you did last night: played Wii, did dishes

Two things you ate yesterday: corn chowder, green salad with homemade dressing (yum)

Two things you did today: showered :), mopped floors

Two longest car rides: I drove my kids alone from Utah to Washington-In a snow storm, drove all over England in a bus.

Two favorite Holidays: July 4th, Christmas

Two favorite beverages: Diet Coke with Lime, Raspberry lemonade

Two things about me: I love Babies, (their smell, touch and cry!) I hate getting out of bed in the morning

Two jobs I've had in my life: I worked at a KOA in highschool, I used to sell DK books

Two places I've lived:Pleasant Grove, Utah, and Moscow, Idaho

Two of my favorite foods: chinese egg rolls, McDonald's Fries-I know so bad for You!!!

Two places I'd rather be right now: At lunch with Robert or touring Italy and Greece

So I tag Tanya, and Arin!

President

I just wanted to post something about President Gordon B. Hinckley. He passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2008. He was the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I am feeling sad for his family. Maybe sad isn't the word. I'm not sure how to say it. I have concern for his family at this time. I hope they have a beautiful service, and can enjoy it. I am happy that he is now able to be with his wife who died a little while ago. I can't imagine my life without my Hubby. So I think that is a blessing. On another note. I am excited for the church. Even during this time. With a new leader will come renewed focus. It is a little exciting. I think that it can rejeuvinate people. I always like the change. What challenges it will require of us. I think sometimes the change brings a little adrenaline rush that I like, but alas, I have rambled (again) off course. I think the next little while and especially this spring's General Conference will be new and exciting ......again.

trip, and decor.

we went to the Temple Open House today in Rexburg. We really enjoyed ourselves. It was nice because we were able to take the kids out of school and Robert left work and we were all together. I purposefully didn't go with anyone we knew. I wanted this to be a great experience with the kids. Hopefully they remember it. Robert had to hurry back to work though so we didn't go anywhere really great to eat. (I was Hoping) We ended up at Burger King. But hey, the kids seemed to like it. Anyway, here are a few pics. of our trip.

This was our napkin. The kids saved theirs for their journals.

On another note, I had a request from Tanya to see the Stuff I bought for the house. So this next picture is of the stuff I bought for the living room. But I also picked up a popcorn popper for the stove that does Kettle Corn So I hope that will be a hit as well.

Oh, and the 'red things' aren't weird wine glasses. As my kids thought!! They hold votive candles. They are really beautiful when lit. Also, they match the red dishes that sit on the Hutch that are from Robert's Mom/Grandma.

shopping

I went shopping yesterday and found some really cool things for the house. Very exciting, now I just need to figure out how to hang everything. Where to put it? Also, I have a shelf that needs painting. Hopefully, that will get done today. While shopping yesterday, I saw someone that I think I knew. Now, I wish I could say that I was like, hey_________ Remember me? But I chickened out. And I didn't say a word. Now I regret it. I wish I had said Hello, But it soooooo caught me off guard, (Now I'm not sure why, since I was in a public place, it's not like others aren't allowed out!) I don't even think the other person knew who I was (I think) Before I spotted this person, I had just said hello to others that I saw, and I had prided myself on "stepping" out of my "comfort zone" Then I blew it. So I'm sorry to anyone that has ever saw me out and about and I didn't say 'hello'. So I resolve to say Hello, the next time I see this someone. I truly am friendly :)

Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Family photo sharing

Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebs - Collage - Morph

Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Dentist

I went to the Dentist and I was in and out in 40 minutes. BUT I did get the Nazi Dental Hygenist. She complained of her 16 yr. old the whole time and was lethal with the scraper tool. But I actually kind of found her endearing this time. Trying to think positively of course. I did get a good bill of Teeth HEalth so that is a perk. She raved over my teeth. and I thought well at least that is something that I can be happy about-Clean teeth. So all is well I guess. Can't wait for Summer today!!

kids

So my kids are doing much better. They ended up with double ear infections-Both of them (Brock and Alexa). But thanks, to modern medicine. They are feeling 'better' with antibiotics running through them. So I can get on with my day. The all important Laundry day. That's what's on my list today. Also, I have a Dentist appointment. Yea!! For a cleaning. I don't think I have any cavities. I think it is nice to be able to get my teeth CLEANED!!! I love the way it feels when I am done. But we will see who does the cleaning. At the place where we go, we have noticed that one of the gals seems to be scraping the outer 5 layers of tooth off!! LOL. She is unmerciful. Robert noticed, I noticed and so did my kids. So I guess I am secretly wishing we get someone else to do it. I told Robert to not be 'afraid' to let her know to lighten up! But I think maybe I am really the one who is afraid to say anything! So we will see how it goes!! Have a great day !!

Signatures

So I learned a new trick from my good friend Lisa. She gave this link on her blog. It's fun and quick. Now I can 'sign' my John Hancock on Blogger!! And yes, Lisa, I too copied my name down with different last names all while growing up. Hilarious. I Love to write my name (sounds conceited-doesn't it?) so I would usually choose Long last names to write with my own first one-funny how life turned out. And now, I have my very own Looong last name anyway! 12 letters in it. I know. That's long. But I guess I don't mind, because I haven't gotten tired of it yet in 12 years, so that is saying something. So check out the link. And see what you can do with your own 'signature'. :)

Our Life

Well, I think Brock is feeling better. Alexa is still pretty whiney. This picture is when I caught Alexa opening the freezer. She's in some old pajamas that I thought I had gotten rid of years ago. I found a forgotten box of stuff in the garage with some things in it for 2T little girls! How lucky was that?!! They were Jade's. Jade loved these PJ's. She wore them for 2 years. She was 4 years old when I finally said 'no' to wearing these. They were starting to look funny! They must be comfortable , because Alexa likes them too!
Brock received a blessing last night. He was still up in the night but he woke up feeling much better. Now, I wish that Alexa had one too. But we'll see how it goes. So far so good with Louie, he has proven himself to be a good dog, thus far. Can you tell I'm still a little leary? I hope it holds.






Today is Scouts. We are learning how to do another magic trick (One that I still have to prepare-don't worry Lisa, it will be ready!!) And learning how to fold a flag. I think it will be great. I like to learn new things. I always wondered how my Mom new random, weird (I thought) things. Now I know-she was a Den Leader. She had to know all this stuff! Too funny. Anyway, Robert is Feeling crazy busy, the stress of new responsibilities has him hopping. I think it is good, but you know how it goes when you want to do well at something. It can consume you. As well as feeling the pressure of the lecensing thing. It's going to be a long haul. I can feel it. I think we both can. We feel that this will be a big year for the Fehrenbacker's, for a variety of reasons. It's like when you know something significant in your life is going to happen, but not sure from what area it will be from. I pray that it won't be too painful!!(this growing experience) I also think that we will need to suck up and sacrifice again to give him the freedom to be able to spend ALOT of time studying. I can feel school (college) all over again. The Master's program he was in, was killer. (But it has sooo paid off!) I guess I have alot of things rolling around in my head these days. I'm sorry my Post isn't a little more coherant.

update

Just going crazy over here. I have 2 sick kids. Brock and Alexa. They are going to put me in an asylum with all the whining going on around here. They are truly miserable. they have a nasty cold of some sort. anyway. take care, keep the sanity.................

New Addition!

We have extended our family to include a new hairy, tail wagging kind of guy. We're introducing Louie. The newest member of our family.

The kids are really enjoying him so far.

Round Table

Tonight I went to my first roundtable for the Scouting Program. I was pleasantly suprised. It was alot of fun. I also felt like it was a great resource for our Blue and Gold Banquet that is next month. I went with a gal from our Scout Troup. I had a lot of fun and she made me think of my Mom. I think these ladies would be good friends. They are alot alike. (That's a compliment-Mom) I also, came home to a busy husband. He cleaned my upstairs for me-Such a Sweetie! There was Nary a complaint either.(from my husband). I have had some good experiences this week. So That is always a perk!!!

experiences

Yesterday I had a new experience. I was asked to work at the church cannery. It was actually not bad. I enjoyed the work. It is something I would definitly do again. I mainly peeled potatoes. (Using an industrial peeler/machine) I worked with two other men. That was a good thing too, because, I wouldn't have been able to lift all of the potato boxes. Anyway, I washed up the machinery too when we were done. I think this is just what I needed. I woke up incredably grumpy yesterday. I think getting out of the house and working physically was just what I needed. I feel blessed by living in this area where we have these opportunities to serve all around us.





On another note, I haven't been able to get any good sleep lately. And by lately I mean like 5 years. SO I finally got a prescription for a sleep study. I know, I will be made a weird freak show while sleeping some night soon. I looked at the pic online of people having a sleep study, I'm not sure I will be ABLE to sleep AT ALL. but I am soooooooooo tired. Enough to follow through with this. I don't know that I have ever slept well. Even in high school I complained of not being able to sleep. SO hopefully, I will get this resolved. My Dad currently has a c-pac machine. I can't decide if I'm actually jealous of the beast of a mask.(because he actually sleeps at night) or horrified that I might actually have to wear one!! Oh, my vanity!! I guess, time will tell what I will need.

Where's the Cough Syrup?

Our family has had a cold that turned into a cough. Yesterday we ran out of cough syrup and Brock was coughing to the point of throwing up! I know Yucky!!! (Thand goodness for Clorox wipes!! they work great of things like this when you have tile flooring!!) ANyway, my girlfriend told me of a recent study where they participants used honey instead of syrup and it worked -supposedly just as well as the 'good stuff'. The study was a double blind one and so I thought why not? Nothing to lose, right? So I marched him into the kitchen and pulled out the honey, scooped out a spoon and made him eat it-much to his dismay-I might add! Well, suprise, suprise, it WORKED!! I couldn't believe it. I even put him down for a nap and he had a good one. So later that evening I gave some to Brock, Alexa, and Jade. They all had a suspension in the coughing period. I don't know if it REALLY worked, but it seemed too. If it didn't work it was really coincidental-both times. I don't think it lasted as long as cough syrup, but it did work for a few hours. With no side effects. 2 of my kids gagged on the spoon full of honey though. So that was something to get them to take it the second time. But over all I would try this again.

Hot Chocolate

Last Saturday Robert and I were asked to speak at the Stake Baptisms. And we left early in the morning to give our talks, and when we were done we didn't want to go home yet. It was like, we're all dressed up and don't have the kids, why not go out for breakfast. So we did. It was so nice. We were alone the company was great and we had a great time. It wasn't even about where we went, it was the spontenaity (sp) that came with it. The Freedom of being able to. Anyway when we came home Brynlee had taken this pic of Alexa.

She had gotten into the hot chocolate mix. (In order to keep it from her I had started keeping it up on the cup/glass shelf where she couldn't reach.)Apparantly, Alexa climbs up on the counters now and helps herself, so the mix has now found a new hiding place! But Brynlee threw her in the tub and took this snap shot of her and so it was cute, kind of, because I didn't have to clean any of it up and I had a clean kitchen, and baby when I came home. Just this photo of what had happened!!

routines

can you say orthadontia? I think this thumb is ALWAYS in her mouth. Either it was in, coming out, or going in!

We are recovering from the holidays and sickness. But excited for the weekend. And the normalcy (is that a word?) of things. The kids are getting back into the swing of things and the routines are coming back. It was a great vacation, but we are ready for the return of real life.

Alexa has started trying to go in the toilet! I am so excited. She is not regular at all, and not reliable, I don't expect it to happen this month, but I think it is not going to be to far away before she gets it completely. She pretty much started doing it herself! So that is amazing, but annoying because I find her naked all the time, She loves to be naked!! Always wants to run in the Buff and screams like a banchee when I dress her again. I think she just likes the control in life and wants it all to be her decision, oh well. have a great week everyone!!!

Does anyone know how to take a pic out after you have loaded it? As you can see I have doubled a pic and can't figure out how to take it off, Thanks!

projects

This is how we spent our Christmas break. We did some remodeling. I hope they like it. We are still planning on changing the carpet. That is still on the to-do list. But at least the paint job is done. We like it so far.......

The Before. !!

The After!








The pictures of Robert and the boys setting up the train set is what color the room used to be. It was a very BRIGHT Pink. So I think this blue will do nicely. If you look closely you can see the planets hanging from the ceiling. Ian is currently into the planetary solar system and the whole galaxy thing. SO Santa brought him some glow in the dark planets and Robert hung them in 'proper' orbit order around the 'sun' (the light fixture) He really likes it and it goes with the whole blue theme/spiderman theme for Brock as well. Anyway, I hope all of your new years' will be great!! Have a HAppy New Year 2008!!